Replacing the 60d

So it looks like I'm almost ready to replace my 60d. I'm uncertain what my next camera should be so am looking for some help.

I shoot a mix of everything, except people. The last year or two I've done a fair bit of BIF but have decided to sell my 400mm and concentrate more on my landscape photos in addition to my usual macro, abstract and general nature shots. So super fast AF isn't a priority.

Here's kind of where I'm at with things:

A) 80d
B) 6D - would have to replace my Sigma 17-50 but other lenses would work
C) 6D2 - Would have to replace my Sigma and wait for the price to come down a bit
D) Fuji XT2 - would have to sell everything and start new
E) keep the 60D and buy a ND and polarizer to make the landscape photos more interesting and pocket the money I make when I sell the 400mm.

I suppose each have pros and cons. I'm hoping the POTN community can help me in making my decision.

We own the 60D and added the 6D 2 years ago. All I can say is WOW what an improvement for our use! I always seem to end up in low light situations - evenings, camp fires, sunsets, inside large buildings etc. The 6D and I am sure the new version can literally focus and create an acceptable photo even though my eyes see it as pitch black. I have shot a a few hot air balloon events and the 60D give up early in the evening while the 6 never quits. The 6D just gives improved color results that we love.

The 80D is supposed to improve results at higher ISO but not to the 6 series standard. It has many useful improvements over your current camera and has many of the latest benefits Canon offers.

Economically the 80D or 6D will both be a very nice improvement and I bet you would be happy with either one. If you go with the 6 I would keep your 400mm as you loose "reach" with the full frame. I use my 100-400 a lot for landscape shots as I pull in interesting details on my 6D.

I used to own a 60D. Good solid camera there, but nothing fancy. I now own the 6D. Killer IQ, excellent high-ISO, and really, really good center point AF. I also own the 80D. Killer IQ, excellent high-ISO, and an AF system on par with the 1DIV, which I also used to own. Choice depends on what you need. IQ? Get the 6D. Servo AF, Live view, video? Get the 80D. Or get both together in the 6DII.

I'd go with a refurb 80D. There seems to be some good deals on them lately. I would only get a full frame if you print large a lot. Otherwise, there really isn't a reason to spend the additional money and carry around the weight. Personally, I'm happy with the Canon M6 (same sensor as 80D) for landscape and I shot a lot of landscapes with the original M (same sensor as 60D) and was quite happy with it other than having to shoot HDR alot since it had poor DR.

Before spending your hard earned, ask yourself what department you think your 60D is lacking in and then formulate a plan from there

Only 9 AF points, no MFA, noisy images once I start getting above ISO 800 or 1600, sometimes the dynamic range leaves a bit to be desired, AI servo isn't very good (although I don't think I will spend much time on BIF anymore).

I decided today that the 80D is what I'm going to go with. I may look at the 10-18 STM for some wide angle landscape shots and will eventually add a 10 stop ND and a grad filter down the road. Thanks for the replies!

shane_c wrote in post #18393597
Only 9 AF points, no MFA, noisy images once I start getting above ISO 800 or 1600, sometimes the dynamic range leaves a bit to be desired, AI servo isn't very good (although I don't think I will spend much time on BIF anymore).

I decided today that the 80D is what I'm going to go with. I may look at the 10-18 STM for some wide angle landscape shots and will eventually add a 10 stop ND and a grad filter down the road. Thanks for the replies!

I agree with you on the 9 AF points. DR is an evolving capacity. But, the AI-Servo on the 60D never let me down while shoot HS sports (hockey, basketball, football, volleyball). Certainly, better is available, but the 60D is no slouch. It is better than my 6D, that's for sure. Noisy above ISO 800-1600? Not my copy. The 60D at ISO 6400:

Yeah mine is quite noisy. I usually deal with it in LR6 but it tends to soften the image a bit. Normally it's not a problem though because I try to keep the ISO as low as possible. That ISO 6400 image looks really nice. I shot mine at that as an experiment once and it wasn't pretty!

I've had some good shots of BIF with the AI Servo but it took some finessing. The newer cameras seem to have a much better AF system.

Three months ago, I made a pact to never get rid of my 60D. A few weeks ago, I purchased the 6D for a third camera. However, I immediately sold the 60D after taking a few shots with the 6D. It's a night and day difference, of course, in favor of the 6D.

shane_c wrote in post #18393620
Yeah mine is quite noisy. I usually deal with it in LR6 but it tends to soften the image a bit. Normally it's not a problem though because I try to keep the ISO as low as possible. That ISO 6400 image looks really nice. I shot mine at that as an experiment once and it wasn't pretty!

I've had some good shots of BIF with the AI Servo but it took some finessing. The newer cameras seem to have a much better AF system.

I whole-heartedly agree with you about the 60D's AI-Servo. Better is available, much better. It doesn't have MFA, either.

We are at odds over the ISO, though. I currently own an 80D. It is only 1 good stop better than the 60D was. I can comfortably shoot my 80D at ISO 12,800, and 16000 is usable when push comes to shove. The above cat image was processed with LR5. I now use LR6, which I think is better. Pushing ISO this hard is all about nailing the exposure, AND having a proper post-processing plan. At these levels, the camera doesn't make the results, you do. If you are unhappy with the 60D at 1600, you'll be just as unhappy with the 80D at 3200.

Am I the only one who drives themselves absolutely crazy when making these types of purchases. I was set on the 80D yesterday and thought I had everything figured out, for the 100th time, and I wake up this morning thinking that maybe I should either:

1) Keep my current gear and add a 10 stop ND, grad filter and CP filter.
2) Keep my current gear, get the filters and maybe a 10-18 STM.
3) Sell the 400 mm, get the filters, and use some of the money from the lens sale for a photo trip.

I guess something that holds me back is that I question if I really need to upgrade since my images are only taken for me and some posted to IG. It's not like I have clients and sell anything. Occasionally I will print a few 8x12's and that's about it.

I would go with a 6D. Perhaps wait for the 6D2. I have both the 6D and 80D and in low light situations, the 80D gets put back in the bag. The 80D works great with the 10-18mm STM in good lighting but once it gets a little dim, you have to bump the ISO up. While the 80D is decently clean up to ISO3200, I wouldn't recomment the 10-18mm for the 60D if you are ever in dim lighting situations. Now, with the 6D, I've gotten lucky and had clean images all the way up to ISO25600

shane_c wrote in post #18393949
Am I the only one who drives themselves absolutely crazy when making these types of purchases. I was set on the 80D yesterday and thought I had everything figured out, for the 100th time, and I wake up this morning thinking that maybe I should either:

1) Keep my current gear and add a 10 stop ND, grad filter and CP filter.
2) Keep my current gear, get the filters and maybe a 10-18 STM.
3) Sell the 400 mm, get the filters, and use some of the money from the lens sale for a photo trip.

I guess something that holds me back is that I question if I really need to upgrade since my images are only taken for me and some posted to IG. It's not like I have clients and sell anything. Occasionally I will print a few 8x12's and that's about it.

***** OP, DO NOT READ THIS POST! *****

I am a hobby shooter, an amateur, a hack. I intentionally avoid ANYTHING and EVERYTHING that involves taking photos in exchange for money. Friends and family keep asking, after 40 years of refusals, they keep asking. I shoot for ME. Photography is my personal space; please stay out of it.

I switched to digital in about 2009, when my last 'real' camera broke. In the ensuing 8 years, I've had:
50D
60D
70D
80D, current
5D
6D, current
7D
450D
500D
1D
1D2
1D3
1D4

I am currently debating whether to: Sell the 6D and buy the 6D2, or sell the 6D and buy a 5D3 (to get dual cards, 1/8000, 1/200, AI-Servo that works), or sell 6D & 80D and buy a 5D4. I could shoot most of what I do with a completely manual film camera. The 80D does a fine job for the AI-Servo work I do. I buy new stuff because I can.

New stuff is fun. New features are fun to play with. Go ahead, buy the 80D. You deserve it. What the heck, forget the 80D and get a 6DII! Hope this helps.

DBNissan wrote in post #18393958
I would go with a 6D. Perhaps wait for the 6D2. I have both the 6D and 80D and in low light situations, the 80D gets put back in the bag. The 80D works great with the 10-18mm STM in good lighting but once it gets a little dim, you have to bump the ISO up. While the 80D is decently clean up to ISO3200, I wouldn't recomment the 10-18mm for the 60D if you are ever in dim lighting situations. Now, with the 6D, I've gotten lucky and had clean images all the way up to ISO25600

I really need to get out my 80D and use it in some crappy light situations. I agree with you that the 6D is usable at 25600. We disagree wildly about the ISO abilities of the 80D. I find it quite usable at 12800, and 16000 works well enough, in a pinch. I'll post a link to my high-ISO 6D/80D comparison as soon as I find it.

EDIT:
I can't find it. Here is my 6D at 25600 and the 80D at 16000 (100% crops available if you want to see them):

What kind of shooting are you doing where it's "night and day"

I'm also in same boat as OP. Trying to decide on upgrading my 60D and the 80D was the logical choice.